Relatives: Racial taunts sparked Lakeview brawl

A weekend brawl in Lakeview that sent a man to the hospital with a fractured jaw broke out as a group in a white stretch limo was shooting a music video called "Take a Sip."

That's about the only thing prosecutors and relatives of those arrested agree on.

Prosecutors say the men in the limousine bailed out of the car around 1:10 a.m. Sunday at Clark Street and Cornelia Avenue, just south of Wrigley Field, and began punching and kicking three other people -- including an off-duty Chicago police officer -- for no apparent reason.

But relatives of the four men arrested and charged with mob action say they were shooting a party scene on the street when they were taunted and called the N-word.

One of the men from the limo -- Corry Simmons, 32 -- was grabbed and punches were thrown, said Lillian Nichols, the mother of one of the other men arrested, Edward Robinson.

"This is a big misunderstanding," Nichols said after the four appeared in court. "It was just like a brawl but they were the only ones arrested."

During a bond hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said the four men -- Simmons, Robinson, his cousin Donald Robinson Jr. and Alvin L. Goffin -- were riding in a limo when they got out at 3485 N. Clark Street and began punching and kicking people.

Scaduto did not say what started the brawl, but said Simmons approached a man and punched him in the face and fractured his jaw. The 27-year-old victim will have to return to the hospital to either have surgery or have his jaw wired, she said.

Witnesses saw the four men running in the streets and striking other people, including an off-duty police officer, Scaduto said. One man was struck from behind in the back of his head by Donald Robinson, Scaduto said. Another man was leaving a pizza restaurant and was punched in the neck by Simmons, she said. When the man fell to the ground, he was kicked in the chest and ribs by Edward Robinson, Scaduto said.

The four then walked south on Clark and "caused much disruption in the business district," Scaduto said. They were followed by witnesses and some of the victims, she said.

As Scaduto spoke, Simmons shouted to the judge, "Not true your honor" and was quieted by his attorney.

The four's court-appointed public defender, Mike Pannitto, said they all deny the charges. "It seems unlikely they would film themselves committing crimes in the street," he said.

Pannitto described the men as fathers who traveled to the North Side to film a music video.

After the court hearing, friends and family members wiped away tears as they lashed out at authorities.

Nichols said the four were taunted with racial slurs and the confrontation soon turned physical when a man in the crowd grabbed Simmons from behind.

According to family, the four men are part of a business called Coed Music and they either performed in or filmed music videos. She said they were working on a video Saturday night for a rap song about celebrating life and good times. The men were filming near Wrigleyville to capture the spirited night life. They were riding in a limo loaned to them by a friend, she said.

Scaduto said she did not mention the tape during court because the state doesn't have it as evidence. She didn't know what role the footage could play.

But family members of the four men arrested believe the videotape -- which started as the music video footage then ended up recording the brawl -- will support what the men said about the attack.

Nichols said her son was trying to overcome his troubled past to become a role model and mentor in his Lawndale community. "For this to happen, it starts (the trouble) all over again. It's very disheartening."

"My son was making great strides in his career," she said.

Nichols said there were many men involved in the fight. But the four West Side men are the only ones facing severe charges.

"It was just a brawl," she said. "But they were the only ones arrested. It's so unfair.

"These young men were trying to make a change in their lives. They had difficulties in their pasts. This situation is unbelievable. They did not go out there for this particular incident to happen. They were there doing something positive for themselves."

Pat Herred, a longtime neighbor and friend to the four, said the men had been working recently to improve the community. Edward Robinson was working with the Lawndale Christian Legal Center counseling other young men.

"They were promoting positivity in the neighborhood," she said. "They have been working hard to get their lives back on track. We've had a lot of episodes with our Lawndale youth. These men were working hard to do the right thing."

Rosalind Young, the mother of Donald Robinson, said the bonds were too high and the charges too severe for such a minor incident.

Simmons and both Robinsons were charged with mob action and several counts of aggravated battery. Simmons was also charged with resisting arrest. Their bail was set at $400,000 each by Judge Donald D. Panarese Jr. Goffin was charged with mob action and his bail was set at $250,000.

Scaduto said all four of the men have criminal records.

Simmons was out of jail on bail for a felony cannabis conviction. He has five previous felony convictions, two of them gun-related. He was convicted of possession of a bomb or grenade and also has a felony narcotics conviction on his record. He has a misdemeanor conviction for resisting police.

Donald Robinson was released from prison on Jan. 3, 2012 and was on parole for a felony DUI charge. He has eight felony convictions including narcotics offenses, burglary and an escape charge. He has misdemeanor charges of possession of cannabis and reckless conduct.

Edward Robinson was on parole for aggravated robbery, for which he was sentenced to 7 years. He has previous convictions for armed robbery.